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Friday, January 27, 2017

Surprising Exercise Benefits

Need more workout motivation this month? Research shows that regular exercise not only makes you fit and healthy, it has some surprising wellness benefits, too.

Your Brain Grows
Exercise increases the size of the brain's hippocampus, an area that regulates emotion and memory formation, by 2%. This is related to better recall and decision-making. Strength training can boost BDNF by 77%. This protein promotes the development of neurons and brain tissue.

Your Skin Gets Smoother and Healthier
Doing cardio regularly can take 30 years off your skin. When you work out, your body produces a protein called IL-15 that encourages the growth of mitochondria cell structures that revitalize your complexion. Working out can ease skin conditions like psoriasis because it releases anti-inflammatory compounds to calm the reaction.Your Vision Gets Sharper
The workout-triggered spike of BDNF, brain-derived neurotropic factor, helps your eyes. Your retina is actually part of your brain, so BDNF benefits retinal cells. Research shows that regular exercisers are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.

The body was made to move. Your muscles, heart, lungs, brain .... everything benefits from moving.